Sunday, August 30, 2009

Geocaching, as defined by The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Website,is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.

Basically, it is a big treasure hunt. People have hidden caches (or treasures as the kids like to call them) all over the world, and we go look for them using my husband's iPhone. We have found some in our neighborhood park, local state park, back of a parking lot, and other interesting places.

The caches all have a log book which you sign to show you have found the cache. You also log your find online. Some caches are small, and others are larger and have actual 'treasure' inside. We found one recently that was loaded with toys for the kids. We follow the general rule, though, of if we take something, we must leave something of equal or greater value. Our plan...get a bunch of Ds awareness trinkets (buttons, stickers, magnets, or keychains), and that will be our 'calling card' that we will leave when we find a cache.

We also have plans to hide our own cache. We have a couple of locations mapped out - we just haven't executed yet.

If you haven't already done so, you should check it out! The kids will love it - and you will too! It is free. It is family-friendly. It is an outdoor activity that often requires some hiking (read, excercise).

Jonathan and Anna Geocaching (BTW - Anna loved the backpack carrier! She is not smiling in this picture, but I can tell you, she was full-on smiles the entire time!)

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Anna Banana Pants

Anna Banana Pants is our third child who has a little something extra...an extra 21st chromosome. Having a child with Down syndrome is not the life sentence that many believe it to be. In fact, it is the probably the greatest blessing we have received as a family. This blog is about Anna, and our everyday family life.